Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-07-30
FRUIT TREES AS ORNAMENTS

FRUIT TREES AS ORNAMENTS.
In this season OF the year, when the
admirer OF trees is forming estimates OF
the comparative success of different
varieties on his homestead, it is natural
to look ahead to the kind Of trees which
will be planted the coming season. Ger
tainly, the union OF the practical and the
beautiful in forestry is worthy the study OF
any good citizen. An Englishman, having
somewhat small piece Of land about his
residence, considered for some time
whether he would plant it to ornamental
or fruit trees. He desired to have q
beautiful and attractive place. He also
disired to have fine, fresh fruit. While
he was debating in his mind whether he
would derive the most enjoyment by
gratifying his sense on sight or taste, the
thought occurred to him that he might do
both. He accordingly consulted several
nurserymen, landscape gardeners, and
fruit raisers, and planted his grounds to
trees that were at once ornamental and
useful. He selected varieties OF trees
that had fire shapes, produced album
dant and beautiful foliage, and which
yielded blossoms and luscious fruits.
His grounds soon became noted for their
beauty and were visited by many persons,
most of whom expressed the opinion that
they presented much better appearance
than most grounds that had been planted
solely for the purpose OF rendering them
pleasing to the sight. The owner also
secured a succession of flowers during
the summer and supply of fine fruit
during the fall and winter.
It is certain that several OF our fruit
trees are quite as ornamental as many
that are obtained at large cost, planted
and cultivated solely for the pur-
pose of presenting a fine appearance.
Among them are the Earl Richmond
cherry, the red Astrakhan apple, and
Downing's mulberry. All these trees
have fine shapes, beautiful foliage, and
an abundance of blossoms and fruit.
They are as useful as they are orna-
mental. In many parts of the country
pear, plum, peach, apricot and ounce
trees can be planted near house in
such a manner as to ornament the
grounds as few trees can. They can be
made to serve two purposes instead of
one. They will afford ornaments to the
grounds during one half the year and Or
for the table during the other
half of it. One crop Of fruit will pay the
cost of the trees, as well as for all the
labor that was expended in cultivating
till they were of an age to bear. Fruit
trees, providing they are shapely, are
more attractive than most strictly or
namental trees, for the reason that they
present variety of aspects during the
year. They present beauty of foliage,
aowers and fruits.
Many of our nut-producing trees are
worthy of place on extensive grounds
and about a house. The common hick-
Dry is very beautiful in all stages of it's
growth. When small it is clearly in ap-
and peculiar foliage renders it
attractive. As it becomes stately its
massive trunk gives it fine appearance.
4 few black walnut trees look well in the
icinity of the house. Even the butter
Tut or white walnut is valuable for plant
ng back of buildings. As the trunks of
he butternut and shell-bark hickory be-
'ome very large they can be covered with
,ines, as the wild grape, trumpet flower,
Virginia creeper, or bitter-sweet, SOFAS to
present very fine appearance. By hav-
ng fruit and nut bearing trees near the
louse their conditions can be noted from
lay to day, and they can be kept proper
y pruned and free from nests of insects.
Is to the products, they will be much
more secure than those of trees that grow
long distance from the buildings.